Water improver of coral algae, shell sand and ascorbate salt

ABSTRACT

The invention pertains to coral sand, more particularly to a composition of coral algae, shell sand and ascorbate being useful as an additive for the improvement of the quality, including the taste, of drinking water, that is as a water improvement agent. The composition is as follows: 5 to 90% coral algae, 5 to 90% shell sand, 0.1 to 8% ascorbic acid salt, and it is chosen so that by the addition of 0.5 g to 1 liter of water is the mixture is emerging with a pH from 7 to 8.5. If the product in addition contains a suitable gelling agent, this entails that any bacteria formerly present, after addition of the water improvement agent according to the invention, no longer exist in the free solution.

The present invention relates to a water improvement agent comprising abuffer containing lime and a reducing agent in the form of ascorbic acidsalt, where the agent contains at least 0,1% lime ascorbic acid salt andmore than 5% dried coral algae as well as possible other components.

Addition of the water improvement agent according to the inventionresults in fast and efficient elimination of chlorine and leads to animprovement of the taste of the drinking water. A preferred embodimentadditionally embraces a gelling agent eliminating free bacteria in thewater. The present invention relates to a reducing agent, which,possibly joined by one or more other components, is suitable as anadditive for the improvement of drinking water quality, that is, as awater improvement agent.

The taste and quality of the drinking water is of major importance forthe health of a population. Vast amounts of public and diverse tap waterare consumed either directly or indirectly in the form of nutrientsproduced by the addition of water. This means that infected water may bea serious source for the propagation of contagious diseases. From theside of the health authorities and waterworks have assured a qualitysurveillance and treatment of the water. Among other actions anartificial addition of chlorine, possibly in the form of hypochlorite,has been carried out. This treatment may in itself lead to an importantsanitary improvement of some aspects of the water quality, while otheraspects to some extent may suffer because of this. Particularly it isknown that the water may contract an unpleasant chlorine taste. A minorincrease in the cancer hazard is also suspected. The possible cancerhazard augmentation may be related to some chlorine species beingcreated as a consequence of the chlorine addition. Allegationsconcerning other health risks have also been brought forth, without thishaving won common support by other experts in the art. However, suchelement of danger cannot be excluded.

From the standpoint of the health authorities the increase in cancerrate is minimal in relation to the massive infection hazard one mightface if the chlorine addition would be excluded. Even in specific othercountries where the raw water tends to be worse and the chlorineaddition consequently bigger, the routine of adding chlorine thereforecontinues. Thus the ordinary consumer is left with a water quality thatprobably mostly is rather satisfactory in the terms of the danger ofinfection. But this water may be handicapped by chlorine taste andpossibly in long terms result in an increase in the cancer rate,possibly other health hazard. The latter has apparently lead to someextent of concern among a fragment of the consumers. On this backgroundthere is a need for water improvement agents which improve the taste ofthe drinking water, and possibly also reduce the content of chlorine andpossibly dangerous chlorine species. Such additions may for example beapplied jointly with the tapping or consumption of the drinking water.

Facing the relatively strict quality control we have in Norway, somedanger for the drinking water containing malicious bacteria stillremain. This is among other things valid for private wells. Furtherthere is a risk for contamination from unclean water in the waterconduits. Also during visits abroad the drinking water represents aninfection hazard. We are therefore presented with a need for a waterimprovement agent, which can also protect against spreading of diseases.

In the consumer market there exists remedies presented as being waterimprovement additives. Some of these are based upon coral, or rathercoral animals, while others appear to be based upon, or to a greatextent, contain shell sand. At closer investigation it appears that thatthose only to some degree, and for a brief time, diminishes the chlorinelevel. Additionally, this is only valid for free chlorine. As far asknown, there is no product available on the market that can eliminatebound chlorine or organically bound chlorine from the drinking water. Inorder to avoid confusion, and for safeguarding, it shall be mentionedthat ionic chlorine—that is Cl⁻—in this context is regarded as safe. Noris there existing any product eliminating malicious bacteria fromdrinking water without adding chlorine or some other reactive component.

Thus there exists a need for a water improvement additive as mentionedabove, for use concomitantly with the intake or consumption of tapwater.

On this background the present applicant has for several years beenexperimenting with different compositions of a potential waterimprovement agent, and has after major effort arrived at a compositionof a suitable buffer and a water soluble, reducing compound with adesired elimination of chlorine. One has also attained composition withpleasant taste, smell and appearance.

Among relevant buffers can be mentioned those that are phosphoric acidbased. Among available raw materials in nature that can regulate pH invicinity of neutral, can be mentioned a mixture of coral algae and shellsand. As to reducing agents, in principle both organic as well asinorganic ones may be used. It is however important to avoid metallictaste, colorants and so on. Particularly relevant in this context arethose reducing agents (often called antioxidants) which are approved foraddition to nutrients. Here referred to listings over “E-substances”that are published by the Governmental Nutrient Control Agency. Amongthose, particular mention should be made of citrates and lactates, aswell as malic acid. A preferred reducing agent is ascorbic acid or asalt, like an alkaline or earth alkaline metal of ascorbicacid—particularly the calcium ascorbate.

The necessary reduction of chlorine and chlorine compounds runs mosteasily under certain conditions. As to ascorbates, this means that theagent, when it is dissolved in drinking water, should yield a weak basicsolution. Further, the reaction rate is influences by the possiblepresence of trace metals as well as by water-soluble ferric or cupriccompounds.

A preferred composition uses a mixture of coral algae, shell sand andascorbic acid, for example as follows:

5-90% by weight coral algae,

5-90% by weight shell sand,

0,1-10% by weight ascorbate,

wherein the percentages by weight are based on the total components inthe agent.

Among ascorbates, mention is made of the alkaline or earth alkalinemetal salts of ascorbic acid.

The composition can further comprise from 0.2 to 45% by weight of thewater improver of a gelling agent such as chitosan which binds bacteriapresent in the water. About 1.5% by weight of chitosan is preferred. Thegelling agent is contained in a water-permeable container such as ateabag wherein the gel remains separated from the water to be consumed.

One aspect by the water improvement agent of the invention is that itimproves the taste of drinking water.

Another aspect by the water improvement agent of the invention is thatit leads to a fast and efficient elimination of free chlorine, which ishypochlorite and so on.

A further aspect of the present invention is that the water improvementagent stabilizes pH by a correct and for drinking water beneficialvalue, that is, within the value according to the guideline for drinkingwater which is settled by the Ministry of Social and Health Affairs.

Another aspect of the present invention, that is a preferred embodimentof it, is that it leads to the elimination of bacteria from the drinkingwater.

A most relevant aspect of the present invention is that each and allcomponents are completely healthy and safe. Particular, it isinteresting that calcium ascorbate by itself is a salt of vitamin C, andthus from a health view completely safe in the relevant amount and tothe intended purpose.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the possibly originallymoist components of the water improvement agent can be dried and can asa whole be finely milled to a free flowing powder. This will notsegregate, as should normally be expected.

Another significant aspect of the water improvement agent is that it isacting fast, so that it normally will have carried out its task beforeit is consumed.

Another significant aspect of the water improvement agent is that it hasan over time stabile composition, as regards pH as well as totalchlorine.

A further aspect of the invention is that it only to a minor degreelifts pH to above neutral level.

One aspect of the invention is that it is not based upon coral animals,but rather upon coral algae. Those have valuable properties seen fromthe standpoint of a vegetarian.

In the present description some technical terms are being employed. Thispertains for example to:

active chlorine

free chlorine

bound chlorine

total chlorine.

All 4 expressions are being employed herein according to the definitionsof ND 4729.

In the following the water improvement agent according to the inventionis being termed water improvement agent A.

By comparative examinations of the water improvement agent according tothe invention and water improvement agents available on the market, ithas been demonstrated that the water improvement agent A has a superiorability to eliminate chlorine. The actual analyses have been executed inour laboratory. By analysis of chlorine a method according to NS 4729was employed. The method and results are presented below.

EXAMPLE 1 Small Test of the Potential of Three Different Lime Productsof Affecting Acidity and Chlorine Content in Drinking Water

Materials and Method

To water from a public waterworks a little extra sodium hypochlorite wasadded. To this were added three different lime products in amountsaccording to what was stated on the package. Chlorine content and pH wasmeasured before addition an after 1, 4 and 18 hours. The lime productswere as supplied the customer in sealed packages, and were of the typeMPG, Norsk Korallsand and water improvement agent A1 (the latter isidentical with the water improvement agent according to the invention).The lime was not eliminated from the water, as indicated by somemanufacturers.

Water improvement agent A1 had the following composition: 2.75% byweight calcium ascorbate, 7-8% by weight shell sand. The rest was madeup of coral algae.

Employed amounts were:

MPG 1 bag per liter of water.

Norsk Korallsand: 1 heaped metering spoon per 2.5 liter of water=0.6grams per liter.

Water improvement agent A1 (that is, according to the invention): 1 flatmetering spoon per 2 liters=0.5 grams per liter.

Results

After Product: Before addition After 1 hour After 4 hours 18 hoursAcidity - pH: MPG 7,72 9,41 9,38 9,65 Norsk 7,72 8,46 8,52 9,18Korallsand Water 7,69 7,97 7,84 7,92 improvement agent A1* Totalchlorine in mg/l: MPG 0,21 0,10 0,13 0,05 Norsk 0,21 0,15 0,15 0,06Korallsand Water 0,21 0,00 0,00 0,00 improvement agent A1* Free chlorinein mg/l: MPG 0,14 0,10 0,10 0,04 Norsk 0,14 0,05 0,05 0,00 Korallsandcorai sand* 0,11 0,00 0,00 0,00 *According to the invention.

Brief Evaluation of Test Results

Acidity—pH—

All three products do increase the pH value of the water, waterimprovement agent A1 to the highest extent. For water improvement agentA1 pH first increases, and later drops.

Content of Total Chlorine, Free Chlorine

Subsequent to the addition of the lime product, that is waterimprovement agent, a reduction of the chlorine content of the water isseen for all three products. Here, it should be noted that chlorineadded to drinking water is unstable and will disappear by itself. Thesmallest reduction of chlorine content is found in the sample whereNorsk Korallsand was added, most reduction was found in the sample ofwater improvement agent A1, that is in the sample according to thepresent invention. The latter seems to eliminate chlorine totally andspontaneously.

EXAMPLE 2 Small Test of Drinking Water with Added Intestinal Bacteria,with and without Water Improvement Agent A2

This test was performed according to NS 4792. A preferred embodimentwith an addition of 1.50% by weight chitosan and 0.50% by weight methylcellulose, in the following called water improvement agent A2, wasemployed. The content of coral algae was reduced accordingly. The testwas performed with 4 samples of public tap water. To one and the samesample bacteria were first added, and they were counted. Then was added1 “teabag” containing water improvement agent A2, the sample was mixedthoroughly, and given time to work in 1 hour. The results are listed upin the following table, where the number of bacteria relates to 100 ml.:

Sample number of bacteria Public tap water, without coral sand 1500Public tap water, with coral sand 0 Public tap water, without coral sand1500 Public tap water, with coral sand 0 Public tap water, without coralsand 1500 Public tap water, with coral sand 0 Public tap water, withoutcoral sand 1000 Public tap water, with coral sand 0

From the results it is evident that coral sand with gelling agentaccording to the invention drastically reduces the content of intestinalbacteria in the public tap water. One may assume that this is related tothe bacteria, after the mixing, are caught up by the gel, and therebycontinues to stay within the teabag together with the other insolublecomponents of the agent. The applicant does not want to be bound by thisassumption, but has observed that a number of gel forming agents to asmaller or greater extent is reducing, even eliminating, bacteria in thewater.

For professionals within the art it should be evident that manyvariations can be constructed on the basis of this description and theabove examples, without this adding anything new to the invention, as itis limited in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. Agent for improvement of drinking water, based upon a calcareous buffer as well as a reducing agent in form of an ascorbic acid salt, characterized in that it comprises: 5 to 90% by weight coral algae, 5 to 90% by weight shell sand, and 0.1 to 10% by weight ascorbic acid salt, wherein the percentages by weight are based on the total components in the agent.
 2. Agent according to claim 1, characterized in that a composition of the agent is chosen so that the pH by of 0.5 g to 1 liter of drinking water becomes between 7 and 8.5.
 3. Agent according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises 1 to 8% calcium ascorbate.
 4. Agent according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises trace metals as well as water-soluble ferric or cupric compounds.
 5. Agent according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises 0.2 to 45% by weight gelling agent functioning by that in the water it is binding bacteria, and by that the agent or at least to gelling agent is contained in a container being water permeable, but still keeping the gel separated from the water that is to be consumed.
 6. Agent according to claim 5, characterized in that the gelling agent is chitosan and the container is shaped as a teabag.
 7. Agent according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises about 1.5% by weight chitosan. 